All issues > Volume 42(4); 1999

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1999;42(4):501-509. Published online April 15, 1999.

Prevalence and Identification of Rotaviruses in Stool Specimens of Patients with Acute Diarrhea from Several Regions of Korea

Dong Soo DS Kim¹, Beom Soo BS Park², Dong Hyuk DH Jung³, Jae Moon JM Ahn⁴, Chul Joong CJ Kim⁵, Shien Young SY Kang⁶

¹Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
²Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
³Green Cross Co. Ltd., Seoul, Korea
⁴Institute of Livestock and Veterinary Services
⁵College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University∫, Taejeon, Korea
⁶College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea

Correspondence Dong Soo DS Kim ,Email: 1

Abstract

Purpose
s : Rotaviruses are the main cause of infantile diarrheal diseases worldwide. The purpose of this study is to obtain epidemiologic data of rotavirus infections in Korea.
Methods
: Stool specimens were collected from 150 patients with acute diarrheal symptoms, who were admitted to Yonsei Medical Center and Chungbuk National University Hospital. After isolating the virus from the specimens, the viruses were identified as rotaviruses by electron microscope and fluorescent microscope after staining with rotavirus VP6-specific monoclonal antibody. RNA was extracted from the specimens by modified phenol/chloroform method. Electropherotying was done with extracted RNA samples after silver staining of the gels. Rotavirus serotyping was done using commercial serotyping ELISA kit.
Results
: Rate of infection from rotavirus stool samples was 60%. Isolated rotaviruses were all serogroup A and a majority(46.0%) of these viruses were long type. Serotypes 1 and 2 were identified with serotype 1 being the majority(52.2%). There were no differences in these types between 1991 and 1992, and also between Seoul and Cheongju area.
Conclusion
: Electropherotype of rotavirus epidemic in Korea was serogroup A, and long type in the majority. Serotypes of rotavirus epidemic in Korea were type 1 and type 2. These results show that the rotavirus reassortant vaccine developed in America could also handle the rotaviral disease in Korea.

Keywords :Rota virus, Electropherotype, Serotype